QUESTIONS:
1. Shortly before his death earlier this year, veteran political reporter Steve Neal completed the book Happy Days are Here Again, about the Democratic convention of 1932 that nominated Franklin D. Roosevelt for President. How many ballots did it take FDR to win the nomination?
2. Nearly a dozen Democrats sought the nomination that year. Who was Roosevelt's leading opponent and runner-up in delegate votes?
3. Roosevelt's nomination was almost thwarted by a long-standing convention rule that was subsequently scrapped by the party. What was that rule?
4. Roosevelt himself made history by breaking a long-standing tradition of the party after he won the nomination. What was it?
5. The song "Happy Days Are Here Again," which became the Democratic theme song for the next 60 years, was first played at the '32 convention after FDR's supporters grew tired of another song played after his name was placed in nomination. What was FDR's first theme song?
ANSWERS:
1. Four.
2. Former New York Gov. and 1928 Democratic nominee Alfred E. Smith.
3. That a candidate had to have two-thirds of the convention's votes to be nominated. (FDR's backers later changed the rule to require only a simple majority for nomination.)
4. He flew to the convention to accept the nomination in person rather than wait weeks to officially acknowledge he was the presidential nominee.
5. "Anchors Aweigh" (in honor of FDR's background as assistant secretary of the Navy).
